"She Was Wonderful And Normal": Shirley Temple's Children Open Up About Their Mother And Their Happy Childhood

In the mid-1930s, Shirley Temple was Hollywood's biggest box-office draw every year. The famous actress won lots of hearts all over the world and people continue to love her even now, after her death.

Shirley Temple who was born on April 23, 1928, passed away at 85 from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When she died at her home in California, she was surrounded by her large family.

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Shirley Temple's amazing life

Shirley Temple Black was the extraordinary American actress, singer, dancer, businesswoman, and diplomat. She was the most recognizable child actress from 1935 to 1938.

The popular actress started her career when she was only three years old. She finished her acting career at the age of 22 but came back on the big screen eight years later.

Shirley knew a thing or two about diplomacy. She was the United States ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. She also served as Chief of Protocol of the United States.

Shirley was married twice and raised three children, Lori Black, Linda Susan Agar, Charles Alden Black Jr. Lori Black, who was her daughter from the second marriage, was a troubled child. She had addictions in the late 80s.

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The daughter had a difficult relationship with her famous mom while growing up, but it was Shirley who helped her recover from the addiction. At 39, Lori was pleaded guilty for drug possession and sentenced to two years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and a fine. Lori also had to attend therapy sessions. As a caring mother, Shirley made the whole family go to the sessions with her too. Lori didn't feel alone during that difficult period.

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It was said that the actress blamed herself for her daughter’s problems, although it wasn’t her fault. However, Shirley managed to bring her daughter back to her normal life.

Her son Charles Black loved his mother very much. He mentioned that she was a wonderful person. He said:

The only time I noticed her star quality was when someone else would ask for her autograph. She was an amazing person. She was wonderful — and normal. We had dinner at the table every night all together.

Temple’s daughter, Linda Susan Agar, also added:

She was devoted and generous, and she could be a little stern if we didn’t behave. But she was also a lot of fun. Very inventive and imaginative. She was all about her children and her husband.

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Shirley was a great and talented actress, but what is more important she was a good mother. The actress is best known for her curly hair and a cute smile. However, her role as a mom is also worth remembering.